ADDITIONAL CRITERIA WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED (USUALLY 504 students):

504 / S.O.S. Campus Coordinator on the Secondary Campuses -  Will assist the teachers in identification, notification, modifications, implementation, evaluation, and exiting students who have any handicapping condition under Section 504 or who are in danger of becoming a student in an at-risk situation.  The 504 / SOS campus coordinator will monitor student progress through classroom portfolios which demonstrate implementation of modifications.  The classroom teacher will maintain the portfolio for each student using these modifications.  The Secondary Campus 504/SOS Coordinator will determine when a 504 meeting should take place and include a multi-disciplinary team to assist in the evaluation following the 504 Plan.

SENATE BILL 1668 (AT-RISK CRITERIA FOR PRE K-6)

Students in grades Pre-K through grade 6 will be classified as at-risk if they meet any of the following criteria:

1. Did not perform satisfactorily on a readiness test or assessment instrument administered at the beginning of the school year.
2. Did not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument administered under Section 21.551(A) of this code in the third or fifth grade (TAAS);
3. Is a student of limited English proficiency, as defined by Section 21.452 of this code;
4. Is sexually, physically, or psychologically abused;
5. Engages in conduct described by Section 51.03(A) family code (delinquent conduct); or
6. Is other wise identified as at-risk under rules adopted by SBOE;

And any student in grades PK-12 who is a non-handicapped student that resides in a residential placement facility in a district in which the student's parent or legal guardian does not reside, including a detention facility, emergency shelter, psychiatric hospital, halfway house, or foster family group home.

The Arp Independent School District currently has in place a number of compensatory and/or remedial programs designed to provide additional opportunities for students with various special needs. The STAR Program will provide the framework for coordinating and better utilizing the various prevention and intervention opportunities that are available. Listed below are a number of the programs available to students in the Arp Independent School District.

PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Pre-kindergarten program

Volunteer Programs (Extended Library Hours)

Community ITV Education

McGruff Program

Guidance and Counseling Services

Enforcement of Attendance Policies

Health services

Breakfast and Lunch Programs

Parent Workshops

Extra Curricular Activities

Recognition of Positive Student Achievement and Behavior

Emphasis on writing in all curriculum areas

Police Department Presentations

D-FY-IT Program

Emphasis on Character Counts! Education and Ethics

Partnerships in Education

INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES

Tutoring Programs

Title I Programs

Placement of the student in the next grade

Multi-Sensory Instruction

Reading Improvement Programs

Special Education

Accelerated Math, Language Arts, and Reading Courses

Instructional Modifications in the Regular Classroom

Guidance and Counseling Services

Health Services

Student Assistance Program

Drug and Alcohol Programs

Parent Conferences

Referral to Outside Agencies

SCANS Curriculum

ESL Program

ALL LEVEL PROGRAMS

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Special Education

Target Population:

Eligible youngsters are those between the ages of 3 and 21 (inclusive) (0 and 22 inclusive for visually and auditorially handicapped) who meet the legal requirements of one or more of the following handicapping categories: Hearing Impaired, Visually Handicapped, Other Health Impaired, Orthopedically Handicapped, Mentally Retarded, Learning Disabled, speech Handicapped, Emotionally disturbed, Autistic, Pregnant, and Multi-handicapped.

How to contact:

Consideration of student's need for special education is initiated by a referral. Referral may be made by the parent or guardian, physician, community agencies, groups or organizations, school personnel, or other appropriate individuals. For those youngsters presently attending an Arp school, referral is usually channeled through the school principal. Referral of youngsters not attending school can be made directly to the special education department. For additional information, call 859-4917.

Description of the Program:

The Arp Independent School District, in compliance with IDEA and Texas State Board of Education rules, offers comprehensive education leading to high school graduation to all eligible handicapped children and youth through the special education program. approximately 36 youngsters are served annually, each of whom receives a program designed to meet his/her individual education needs.

After the eligibility of a student has been documented by a comprehensive individual assessment, the Admission, Review, and dismissal Committee (composed of school personnel, parent or guardian, and necessary others) develops an individual educational plan (IEP) and determines the least restrictive instructional arrangement appropriate to meet the needs of the student.

Available instructional arrangements other than those offered through the regular education program include:

Regular Classroom: Some students receive all direct instruction in the regular class with help from a Special Education teacher or aide and/or the use of special materials on an as-needed basis.

Resource Room: Instructional setting for providing special education instruction and related services for less than 50% of the school day.

Speech Therapy: Sessions are provided by a licensed/certified speech pathologist on a regular basis to improve articulation and/or language skills.

The professional staff of the special education department is composed of certified special education teachers, licensed speech pathologist, and the support team including the director. In addition to the full-time staff, related service are available upon approval of the Director of Special Education.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

English As A Second Language

Target Population:

Limited English proficient students grades PK-12

How to contact:

Principal or Coordinator of ESL Program

Description of the program:

An instructional delivery system for the acquisition of listening, reading, speaking, and writing the English language through adaptations and modifications in pacing and methodology by teachers specifically trained to teach ESL students. Instructional periods may range from a 45 minute minimum to a full block of subject area instruction in the secondary level.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Guidance and Counseling Services

Target population:

Arp Independent School District Students

How to contact:

Counselor

Description of the program:

Arp Independent School District has a comprehensive guidance program to meet students needs. The Counselor is available to all students on every campus, parents, and teachers. Services provided include academic, career, and personal/social counseling. The Counselor works with students in areas that affect the academic achievement of the student. This includes decision-making skills, study skills, problem-solving, and individual needs. The Counselor works in the areas of career development, leadership groups, new student orientation, school adjustment to entering grade levels, college entrance and financial aid, vocation information, special services to identified specified needs, staff development, and parent education programs.

The Counselor deals with numerous causes that affect the academic achievement of the student such as areas of adjustment to divorce and blended families, school adjustment, depression and suicide prevention, drug abuse, sexuality, teenage pregnancy, motivation, school dropouts, and career development.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

STAR Program

Target population:

1. Students who have or are in danger of dropping out of school

2. Students who have failed on Achievement tests or in a course for more than two six weeks

How to contact:

Principals, Counselor, Curriculum Specialist

Description of the program:

Student who are identified as being in danger of dropping out of school are given special services. Intervention, reasons and options, and individual plans are explored. Parent/guardians are contacted. Teachers and staff work together to enable the student to remain in school and to succeed academically.

An academic tracking system is maintained and reported to central office staff in order to keep track of students who are in danger of dropping out or failing in a subject area.

Students who have dropped of school and wish to return are counseled to explore options available to the student in order to graduate.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

National School Lunch and National School Breakfast Program

Target population:

School children 4 to 19

How to contact:

Principals, Director of Food Services

Description of the program:

National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs are available to all school children age four to nineteen. The nutritional goal of the NSLP is to provide one-third of the Recommended Daily Dietary Allowance (RDA) as specified by the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences. National School Lunch Programs and Breakfast Programs are available on all Arp Independent School District campuses. Menu choices at lunch allow children to select their food preferences. Students who household income meets the federal criteria can receive meals free or at a reduced price.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Health Services

Target population:

Pre-kindergarten to Graduation

How to contact:

School Nurse

Description of the program:

The School Nurse is available to the District Monday through Friday. She maintains office hours in at the Elementary Campus from 7:30 am  until 12:00 (noon). The School Nurse is available to the Junior High and High School Campus from 12:00 (noon) to 3:30 pm each school day. Her duties include hearing, and eye tests, consultation and care of minor injuries, and is utilized as a presenter in Wellness Curriculum Projects.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Discipline Management Plan

Target population:

All students Pre-K through 12

How to contact:

Principals

Description of the program:

In the Arp Independent School District, students are allowed as much freedom as possible without hindering the freedom of other individuals. Students must learn to accept responsibility for their own actions. Students should be disciplined for their misbehavior if their disruptive actions hinder another student's rights to a good education in a safe environment. This understanding is essential in order for young people to learn to function as responsible citizens.

The Arp Independent School District believes that students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach. The district strives to provide students with a quality program that is free from disruptions which interfere with the educational process. The district is committed to the rights of students but also expects students to behave in an appropriate manner that contributes positively to the school community.

The Student Handbook, developed cooperatively by the district's administrators, teachers, parents, and students, describes the district's expectations of student conduct and specifies the consequences of violating this code of conduct.

The district utilizes "The Right Choice" discipline manuals as a curriculum for teaching students appropriate morals, ethics, responsibility, respect, and conduct. We have taken positive action to equip our children with good principles and behavior skills in order to avoid disciplinary problems.

Parents are an integral part of the discipline management plan and will be involved in working with the district personnel in implementing successful discipline practices. Workshops are offered by the district to parents on good discipline and parenting skills.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Cooperative Learning

Target populations:

All level teachers, counselors, and administrators

How to contact:

Curriculum Specialist

Description of the program:

Cooperative Learning is a teaching strategy which research has shown promotes social skills, academic learning, liking of subject matter, and liking of school. Peer tutoring is initiated through cooperative learning which additionally helps students to understand each other and to increase one's self-esteem, particularly and asset for the at-risk student. Teachers become familiar with the teaching paradigm and learn how to incorporate the method in their particular subject area.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

D-FY-IT

Target population:

All students 6 through 12

How to contact:

D-FY-IT Sponsor, Junior High or High School Campuses

Description of program:

The D-FY-IT program is a program available 6-12 grades. T\Students are required to be drug tested to enter the program and randomly checked at later dates. Each drug-free student receives a D-FY-IT card that can be used at area businesses for discounts. Students are also invited to group activities that involve other drug-free students on this campus and others. (See Appendix D)

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Drug-Free School Program

Target population:

All students Pre-k through 12, faculty, and administrators

How to contact:

Curriculum Specialist

Description of program:

The program is designed to incorporate an integrated curriculum Pre-K through 12 on the harmful effects of drug and alcohol abuse and the violence associated with such abuse. The program also emphasizes basic bike, vehicle, and stranger safety. It incorporates the Texans' War on Drugs Program, McGruff Program, Safety Dillow Program, DAVE Drug Free Approach and Prevention Program, and the Education for Self-Responsibiltiy II Curriculum (Pre-K through 12). This program collaborates well with "The Right Choice" Discipline Management Plan. (See Appendix D)

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Peer Helpers (PALS) Program

Target population:

Grades 5-12

How to contact:

Campus Principals, Peer Helper Sponsors

Description of program:

The PAL/Peer Helping program trains students as peer facilitators with other students on their own campuses, and/or from feeder campuses. It also helps young people to identify potential interests in careers in education and other "helping" careers. Participants will be trained in a variety of helping skills which enable them to assist other students in having a more positive and productive school experience. Positive peer influence will be utilized as a central strategy for addressing such issues as at-risk youth, drop out prevention, substance abuse prevention, teen pregnancy, suicide, absenteeism, low achievement, behavior problems, students with special needs, and other areas of concern in the school district.

ORGANIZATIONAL OR PROGRAM NAME:

Arp ISD Remediation / Reassessment Procedures

Target population:

3 through 12 grades

How to contact:

Building principal

Description of Program:

The Texas Administrative Code (75.170) requires that "each board shall establish an acceptable procedures to reteach non-mastering students....policies shall establish the relationship between grades and mastery of District objectives which have been related to essential elements." The school district's policy on grading and remediation must provide for documentation of mastery of essential elements. Teachers typically document mastery by recording a passing grade in the gradebook.

The Texas Education Agency requires some degree of consistency in remediating and reassessing students who fail. The District Site-base Committee has developed a draft of procedures to address these issues.

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